Sunday mornings have a way of meeting us right where we are after a hectic week, but today at church felt particularly special. It was one of those services where a simple message and a quiet act of kindness collided, leaving me with a lot to sit with, reflect on, and carry into the week ahead.
Before the service even got underway at St. Ed’s, something happened that completely made my morning. Ben and Richard from our media team had gone out of their way to set up a new large screen monitor near the back of the church, on the opposite side to where I usually sit so I could read the text well.
When you live with sight loss, it’s all too easy to feel like a bit of a burden, or like you’re sitting on the outer edge looking in at the world. You miss the visual cues, the words on a distant wall, or the rhythm of things moving around you. But having that screen placed right there meant I could actually read along with everything! I joined in with the songs and followed every echoed prayer during communion. It completely pulled me into the heart of the service instead of leaving me feeling disconnected. That sort of quiet, intentional care means more than words can really say. So a massive thank you, fellas, you truly made my Sunday.
That act of kindness and consideration really set the tone perfectly for what our church leader, Jeff, spoke about shortly afterwards.
He started off with a bit of a fun task to see who we naturally gravitated towards in the room. First, he asked us to find the folks who supported the same football team. This was super easy for me, as I don’t follow the sport to give two hoots, so I remained seated. Then came the age-old divide: are you a dog person or a cat person? Me? I’m more of a dog person. And finally, the true test of fellowship: does pineapple belong on pizza? The correct, and only answer is yes, it does! Still not sold on the idea? Try a pepperoni (jackfruit is a great alternative for the veggies!) and pineapple next time you order; thank me later!
It got plenty of out-loud laughs across the church, just when you feel you know someone well, and you discover they’re a Nottingham Forest fan! But underneath the banter was a truth that hits home for all of us. Human nature naturally drifts towards the people who like what we like, see the world the way we see it, and share our exact preferences. We feel instant comfort and peace in that camp. But just as quickly, the moment someone doesn’t fit our mould or share our view, we tend to put up quiet little walls, take a step back, and move along in our lives.
Church leader Jeff used this to look at Paul’s letters and the kind of unity early believers were called to build. Because building community solely around shared hobbies, tastes, or opinions makes for an awfully fragile foundation, I’m sure we all agree.
In Philippians 2, Paul cuts right through our natural tribal instincts when he writes:
“Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:2-4)
Paul isn’t expecting a church full of people to suddenly develop identical personalities or agree on every little detail of life. He’s pointing towards something much deeper. The world tells us to connect over whatever common ground we can manufacture, be it our background, our tribe, our social circles. But genuine Christian unity isn’t built on common ground; it’s built on holy ground.
Paul then points us straight to the ultimate reason why:
“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” (Philippians 2:8-10)
Jesus didn’t wait for us to have it all together, nor did He wait for us to align with Him before stepping down into our mess. He emptied Himself, took the posture of a humble servant, and loved people who were completely unlike Him. When you actually pause and sit with that for a moment, it knocks the wind right out of you – and if that kind of grace doesn’t completely reframe how we see and treat the people around us, nothing will.
If our unity as believers relies only on finding people who tick our personal boxes, it will crack the second a disagreement or difference pops up. Real unity endures only when it is firmly rooted in something greater: being united in Jesus, united together, and united in faith.
You’ve already received His love, freely, undeservedly, and abundantly. When we allow that love to actually shape our daily lives, those shallow dividing lines fade away. We stop scanning the room just to find mirrors of ourselves, and we start looking around to see who we can support, include, and pull a little closer to the table.
Before I sign off today, I wanted to mention a small addition to the site. You’ll now find a Request Prayer tab right here on the blog. Whether you’re going through a heavy season, carrying an unspoken worry, or simply want someone to stand with you in faith, you can send in your prayer requests directly through the page. It would be an absolute privilege to pray for you.
Have a blessed week ahead, look out for one another, and keep your coffee cup ready for a refill soon!
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